Current Discount Codes

A little round up of some of the best out there at the moment;

New Look - 30% off selected lines (up to 50% starts Thursday 24th May).

What a stunning jumpsuit!

Asos - 20% off of everything until 8am Wednesday 23rd May.  Use code EVERY20 then there will be 30% off Occassionwear for 24hrs.

Adidas sliders now only £24. 

La Redoute - up to 50% off everything until 29th May.

I've raved about this cashmere jumper before, it's one of my favourites and a classic.  Great value with the 40% off.

Laura Ashley - 30% off all Home then Thursday 24th May - Tuesday 29th May 40% off everything.

I have this Lewes rug in the paler grey but love this Charcoal colour they now have.

Boden - 25% off a different department each day this week - shoes on the 24th May.

I have always rated Boden's shoes and after adding a metallic pair of skater pumps to my wardrobe last year, I highly recommend a metallic shoe now!

Topshop - a great sale section online.

I've seen this in the flesh, if you can handle big sleeves, it's a stunning embroidered blouse .

Very - up to 40% off sale for branded items.

I love this Adidas top.  Also worth a look if you need some new Uggs - now's the time to buy them!

Why Hello There! (Holiday Style Post)

I've properly had writers block and no matter how much I've wanted to, felt I had nothing to share that was very relevant or worth a read.  Do people even still read blogs anymore?!?!  I hold my hands up to visiting Instgram daily, it's quick and easy, who has time to sit and read properly these days?  However I do miss sitting and writing/sharing things on here so even if there's one reader still lurking out there, this is for you!  I decided to stop over thinking things (a little like the name we can't decide on for our puppy - yes, we're gong down the puppy route!) and just plonk a load of holiday snaps on here that maybe can inspire you for some looks.  Again, hands up, blog photos have been neglected and these were all taken for the squares of Insta but I promise from now on to take the original size shots for here to make it more readable.

So onwards and upwards.  Here are some of my favourite holiday looks, we went to Disney World so it was mainly comfort based.

These are the best denim shorts I've found and I kept meaning to blog about them last year but never got around to it.  A little like the camel coat saga, denim shorts were on my wish list for what seems like forever.  Any ones that I deemed 'cool' enough sat too far up my derriere and any that sat lower seemed a little frumpy for my petite height.  They are from Gap which I know for most can be hit and miss re sizes but just hold them up and look at them for sizing more than anything and try try try.  Top is an old Zara sales find for £12.99 in Winter time, hat was Warehouse, again a sales find for £10 and leather rucksack was from a preloved shop but by Jigsaw.  It's gold so adds a touch of glam but it is well used now by me and I'm not precious about it so it is perfect for this type of holiday.  

Pretty sure these are them!  They do different leg lengths and these are the 5" which are currently on sale at £24.47.  A choice of washes also available.

A Zara jumpsuit below - I know - it looks like a dress but it has shorts underneath, highly recommend it!  Recently found another little black Summer dress from them too which I will share but I haven't worn it yet.  Is it me or have they dropped their price points? Anyway, I'm loving them right now and could easily spend a fortune which I don't have!

Zara Short Embroidered Jumpsuit Dress £29.99

They are totally different......I've told myself that a few times as did my mate who was with me when I purchased it!  Oh and being pretty short has it's benefits as it doesn't sit at this length on me.

Zara Short Frilled Dress £29.99

Two of my US purchases.  J Crew scalloped shorts and a cool t-shirt, both under £15 each.  I love the outlets in America!  

I know I'm repetitive but two more sales purchases; a Whistles t-shirt which was via Very and my Marant skirt via the Harrods Winter sale.  I started to regret the skirt as thought I'd picked up the wrong size but it was fine in the end.  I don't find it the easiest of skirts to style, I still wasn't happy with the t-shirt combo but I was in holiday mode so went with it but it needs some more playing with now I'm home (and if we get the weather here!). 

The denim shorts again, with a little Topshop t-shirt and my favourite Adidas sliders - sooooo comfortable.  I tracked them down a few years ago via Asos. 

My current favourite striped t-shirt from Topshop £12

Adidas Sliders reduced to £19

No, I didn't purchase, I was just window shopping for my 40th in a few years!  Dress is Topshop and cardi/jacket is Zara.  Chanel keep upping their prices, grrrrrr, at least another one increase before I would be ready to buy - well um, I say ready, lets see how the saving go!

Topshop Pinafore £36

I'll end on this note.  He arrives Monday.  Wish me luck! 

Topshop Treats

It's been a while again, I'm sorry.  As much as I love to write and share on my blog, it is a little hobby and unfortunately hobbies have to take back seats in life sometimes don't they.  The good news is my new Project Manager hat (for our home renovations) is fitting well and although I'm exhausted juggling everything, we are making progress and have actually cut through a door to my walk in wardrobe - priorities firmly in place (ok, a dishwasher and kitchen has also been ordered...)!  I digress, back to my passion.  We took some much needed time off at the end of May and had a day out shopping.  I'm always ducking and diving into shops for bits and bobs or shopping with clients so it was nice to properly spend time looking. Topshop won hands down.  My photo doesn't do this dress justice and the shoulders need to soften slightly but it is so comfortable and didn't break the bank at £24 (and 100% cotton!).  Would have loved it in a marl grey (pretty please Topshop?) but it was this or white so was a no brainer.  

Ruched Waist Corset T-Shirt Dress £24 

Then I went a little off-piste and took my own advice when I'm working with a client - always take something you think wouldn't work on you into the fitting room.  My item was these trousers.  I am desperate for a variation to my much loved jeans, I needed something to pull me out of a little clothing rut I've been in.  Now I will admit, they haven't been worn yet, they are high waisted and as much as they look fab here, I worry what else they will work with.  I love the fit, the colour, the waist but they are out of my comfort zone.  I know I just need to bite the bullet but I'm fragile at the moment - my wardrobe is in boxes and it's unnerved me a great amount!

Paperboy Utility Trousers £39

The t-shirt wasn't even questioned.  So me, so girly and classic with a high neck, it's a keeper.  

They only have it in the 'Tall' option online however do check stores as it was only 3 weeks ago. There is the grey option which I also love (and am very tempted by!).

Floral Applique T-Shirt £24 

I know people struggle with Topshop, they can be a little hit and miss for me also - and I am the wrong side of 35 just so you know!  However they do have classic pieces, pieces that last.  Recently I dug out an old Kate Moss for Topshop dress.  I wore it to a wedding and still enjoyed it and loved that no one else would be wearing it as it really is so old!  It's washed beautifully so has stood the test of time and I don't feel it's dated at all.  

Watch; Tag Heure
Clutch; Vintage Chanel
Shoes; Zara

Savvy Sales Shopping

A Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you are all well and truly rested after the festive break.  Or perhaps the break starts now the kids are back at school......!  We have lots of family birthdays around Christmas time (great planning I know) but it does always mean we hit the shops for various reasons quite a bit.  As we are midst renovations right now I'm being more selective than ever and currently have a nice little stash of birthday and Christmas money being saved away.  That being said, I have managed to grab a few bargains - but beware, the sales haven't reached their full potential yet, wait for better discounts if you dare!

I do love M&S cashmere, it wears well and only recently have I somehow managed to shrink a few pieces.  I loved this red crew neck which was £75 down to £50, then scanned at £40 and I had a £5 Sparks birthday voucher so £35 - happy me!  I've linked their cashmere here but I've found more selection and better prices in store right now.  

(Not as bright as it seems and paws to the left courtesy of Lizzie cat)

Gap is always a firm favourite of mine and as a few of my sweaters need replacing I grabbed this cotton one which was down to £14.99 (£24.99 online though I'm afraid).  Make sure you sign up to their emails, they are always sending offers and I had a further 25% off via a recent one making this £11.24 - bargain.

A blog post of mine wouldn't be a post without featuring Topshop would it!  When I was supposed to be running to grab a last minute child's present I saw the sale sign and couldn't help but duck in.  I had seen this shirt earlier in the year and loved it but at £12 I wasn't going to let it stay in the shop.  It is a size larger than I normally take but it fitted well and as it's cotton it allows for some shrinkage. I've not seen it online so check out stores if you're after one.  

Gorgeous back detail

On the same 'emergency' Christmas present shopping trip, I had to pop to H&M and saw this wool hat for £2.  Yes, you read that right, £2.  Needless to say that didn't remain in the shop either.

Now this is the one I need a little help with.  I love the Missoni print and this was down to £20 in TK Maxx.  I thought it was gorgeous but I'm not a huge scarf wearer to be honest and after it was joked I looked like a llama herdsman (I have the best mates) I've not worn it yet.  I don't want to be sucked in on price and just because it's designer, but it is still beautiful.  Being short of space at the mo I'm being very careful what makes it's way into my limited wardrobe.  

Lizzie cat again, yes! 

Topshop Addict Moi?

Yes, another blog post featuring Topshop, sorry if I'm getting boring!  So one rule I try to live by re Christmas party frocks has always been to buy well ahead of time to avoid the horrible moment when you see someone else in the same outfit as you.  Time as always, got the better of me this year and I left it very close to the date.  I nearly returned this Topshop dress for fear of just that but somehow, with over 2000 people in the venue I avoided seeing anyone else in my dress.  I was also worried it was too short, too tight etc but I didn't really have much option but to wear it.  Oh and I was reassured by some lovely friends it was just fine.  I can report though it didn't feel too short or too tight after wearing it all night and it's washed brilliantly on a gentle wash.  A classic that hopefully will be in my wardrobe for a while.  

Monochrome Floral Contrast Dress £100 

The shoes were also Topshop and also current but I loved them non the less so went the whole hog with Topshop. I threw in a vintage Chanel handbag which I knew no one else would have so that made me feel a little better! 

Topshop Graceful £59 (I managed them in the Black Friday deal for just over £40 so watch out for their sales!)

This wasn't planned but I'm living in my Topshop faux fur coat right now (and also because I still haven't got my other winter coats out of storage in the loft yet!) so I popped it on top - a whole Topshop ensemble pretty much!

These shoes didn't make the cut for my wardrobe though, sorry Topshop!  I love a little sparkle and they looked like such a great shoe.  From the front I loved them, they were comfy, a great heal height but the actual heal itself made them go back to store.  They were just too clumpy for little old me.  Gutted but I won't keep them if they aren't right.  Even my 9 year old said 'come on Mum, they so aren't you, what are you doing'.  Enough said really.  

Glitter Shoes £49 now £20 (only silver online in an 8 so try stores!)

Finishing off with another shot of my Topshop faux fur which jazzed up my new sweater featured on my last post.  Such a good find on eBay, so glad I took he plunge at the end of Winter earlier this year, it was a slight risk that I wouldn't get the wear but animal print just never dates does it! 

I'm not sure when I'm going to get a chance to write again, so if I don't, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.  Don't forget to shop wisely in the sales, check the returns policies to give you extra time to decide at home but do consider buying out of season staple items - get some bargain Summer sandals now! 

With love from Natalie 

X

Denim Pinafores & Leopard Joggers!

I'm home and back in the land of good wifi!  The Topshop pinafore dress I talked about back in this post arrived and stayed straight away.  The black didn't as it was out of stock but that's fine, I'm happy with what I have.  It's been the most versatile piece, so easy and different from my other Topshop denim dress that had short sleeves, I love that I can wear things underneath from t-shirts to long sleeved tops.

I can't find this one online now so it's probably best to check your local store.  It was £38 however this one for £35 is very similar.

Topshop Pini Dress £35

In the same order came some joggers.  I love clothes, I really do but truth be told, I am at my most comfiest with my jogging bottoms on at the end of the day.  I've never paid too much attention to them, they just have to fit and feel comfy.  However it's been pointed out on a number of occasions,  the 'saggy bum' that the ones I have give me.....major fashion fail!  So until my freshly planted red robin bushes are high enough to hide me from my neighbours whilst watering them I thought it best I purchase something a little less eye watering.

Leopard Print Jogger £30

No full on shot in these yet, just a late night long road trip to Cornwall!
Bit of an animal print lover me.....

These have done a great job.  They sit slightly higher up than my others - quite possibly why they don't have a saggy bum affect and the print ticks all the boxes for me.  Time will tell what they look like after a few months as the fibre composition isn't great but I took a chance.  I'd even say they look good enough to quite happily pop to the shops in without feeling too disgraced!

Don't forget to check the last of their sales dregs online, I have managed to grab a pair of shoes which are a little marmite; I love them, the rest of my house think they are one of my fashion choices which majorly don't work.  At £20 from £59, suede (my favourite for shoes) and leather lined, I just love the little quirky style of them and think they are worth a gamble.

Top; Topshop however now sold out online I'm afraid.  It was called 'embroidered flute tee' in case you wanted to keep checking.